Dewhurst dismisses Cruz’s support from U.S. senators

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst — talking with reporters Wednesday after recognizing firefighters at a Fort Worth station — dismissed Freedomworks’ upcoming tea party rally that will feature speakers including his rival for the GOP nod for U.S. Senate, Ted Cruz.

Dewhurst described such support for Cruz as coming from “Washington insiders” and Washington special interests.” Noting that Cruz often cites his support from several United States senators, Dewhurst contended that they are “all from states that are not as conservative as Texas, all from states that have not done as well as Texas is doing.”

“I like Texas. I’m proud of the support that I have from Texans,” Dewhurst said.

U.S. senators who’ve endorsed Cruz include Republicans Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Mike Lee of Utah and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.

Dewhurst didn’t specify which of those states he considers less conservative than Texas, and why.

Cruz spokesman James Bernsen said that regardless, “It’s not what the state overall is. It’s what the person elected is.” The key is to elect conservatives, he said.